Disclaimer: I do not own the rights to Power Rangers: (Super) Samurai. This is purely fan-made.

Though there wasn't much that could keep Jayden in bed for long, his injuries did make it hard for him to train and live his daily Samurai life. He wasn't going to complain, though. Because Antonio was just as badly beaten as he was, maybe a little worse, they had plenty of time to themselves. More than ever, Jayden felt like his relationship with and his love for Antonio was stronger because of the attacker. In a strange way, the eight men who tried to knock some sense into him and set him straight had only succeeded in making him fall more in love with his boyfriend. Jayden was happy to know he had the last laugh.

While a lot of his time was spent with Antonio, Jayden did still wander around the house. He was still in pain, but a little exercise never hurt and it helped to leave the room from time to time.

For the most part, he saw what he normally saw. Kevin and Mia were usually together, either curled up on the couch watching a movie, training together, or in their own corners of the same room doing their own thing. Ji spent most of his time tending to Jayden and Antonio, but the rest of the time he was making meals for the house, cleaning up after the Samurai, or locked away in his room, working on whatever he worked on. The Samurai had started coming up with theories of what he did. While Jayden and Kevin thought of more realistic possibilities, such as making sure the Rangers identities were kept secret, keeping his friends informed of what was going on so they could be of assistance when needed, or studying up on Samurai history, Mike, Antonio, and Emily loved coming up with a few crazy ideas. Some involved Ji having a secret girlfriend. Jayden didn't want to think about that one.

Serena spent a lot of time fussing over Emily. Even without her son around she was still a mother and needed to nurture someone. Unfortunately, Emily was the only one left for her to look after, though from time to time she would fuss over Jayden and Antonio. Emily looked rather annoyed for the most part, but seemed to understand this was helping Serena cope with her son out of the house, and humoured her sister.

Mike, as usual, played video games or hung out with Emily. He worked hard in training when it was required, but he was still the same old Mike.

Despite everything running normally in the house, Jayden did notice there was something off. He looked at the bookshelf, where Emily kept Scruffy's urn. He breathed a loud sigh. He missed the damned dog.

In fact, he missed having a dog period.

He looked to his friends one more time. Kevin and Mia were curled up on the couch together. They were going through Mia's wedding book. Jayden knew they planned on getting a dog at some point in their lives. Just like him, Scruffy had grown on them. They missed him and they missed having a canine best friend running around the house. Kevin had admired Scruffy's loyalty, and Mia had enjoyed taking care of the dog. From time to time, Scruffy enjoyed specialty meals made by Mia just because she felt the need to nurture the dog. She was a lot like Serena in that sense.

Speaking of Serena, Jayden figured a dog would do her wonders now that Terran was gone. It would be something for her to take care of, like Mia, and it would help her leave her sister alone. Serena had bonded quite a bit with Scruffy and had been open to the idea of eventually getting another dog. It would be perfect for her now.

Even Antonio and Ji would benefit from having a dog. It would keep Ji company when the Rangers were out fighting and would offer him comfort if they were gone for too long, and Antonio, well, he just loved dogs.

Jayden had seen Mike with his dog back home. A part of him was sure that Mike's dog Bowser had played a big part in helping Mike get over Scruffy's death. Though Jayden wouldn't be surprised if Mike was hesitant about getting another dog, he was sure the green Ranger would cave and would come around to loving the idea.

It was just Emily he was worried about. He didn't know how she would take it. Though she had moved on, Jayden still saw her kneeling at the garden where they buried Scruffy's toys, or looking longingly at the urn. She missed her best friend dearly, and there was never going to be anything or anyone who could replace him. But Jayden also saw how much she missed having a dog. If she was up to it, this could be a good thing for her too.

And it could be a good thing for the Samurai. Though Jayden would never get a dog just to use it as a guard dog against the Nighlok, a dog could be a defensive tactic for the Samurai. Animals could tell the Nighlok were a threat and could sense if one was approaching, just like a Gap Sensor. Though the shields were fully powered, it would help the Rangers feel a bit safer knowing a dog would start barking if the Nighlok got too close to the house.

It would also help in their personal lives. Jayden was sure that if he and Antonio had had a dog with them, the people who beat them up would have thought twice about attacking. Many people would. A dog, especially a loyal one, would do anything to protect its master, and no one wanted to find themselves with an arm, a leg, or any other body part between a dog's jaws.

Jayden figured it was worth a shot and walked over to Emily. She was sitting on the floor at the table, colouring in a symbol. A while back, when Emily was just a child, it had been Serena's way of teaching her her symbols. Because Emily was dyslexic, she found learning to be a chore. Of course, many kids did, but it was harder for Emily. Going to school, struggling to read and write, and then coming home and having to learn Japanese symbols wasn't going to fly with Emily. Instead, Serena and Ellie had focused more on fun. Emily would learn her symbols by colouring the kanji in until she could remember what it would look like, and then draw it for herself. It seemed to work, so Jayden didn't question it. He sat down beside her and smiled.

"You know what you're colouring?"

"Stalactites," Emily smiled. "I'll be piercing through Nighloks in no time. I hope you like shish-kebabs."

Jayden chuckled then pulled the yellow pencil from her hand, "Mind if I ask you something?"

"Okay."

"You're allowed to say no."

"Okay."

Jayden took a deep breath, "What would you think about getting another… pet?"

"A dog?" Emily asked. Jayden could already see the tears forming as she turned to look at Scruffy's urn. He took her hand.

"I thought it would be good for the team," he said. "We all really miss Scruffy. I know you most of all. So if you're not ready for another dog, I won't even talk to the others about it."

Emily looked around the room. Mia and Kevin were distracted with their book, Mike was focused on his video game, and Serena had stepped outside for a little training.

"I'm not trying to replace Scruffy," Jayden continued, feeling it was important Emily knew that. "Nothing will ever replace him, Em. But…"

"Can we go look at dogs and see how I feel then?" Emily asked.

Jayden nodded his head, "I don't see why not."

"Can we go now? I'm kind of bored."

"Are you sure?" Jayden asked her. Emily smiled and nodded her head.

"Nothing's taking Scruffy's place. But I do miss having a cuddly pet."

"You have Mike."

"Yeah, but it's weird when he licks my face," Emily giggled. She jumped to her feet, "You tell the others. I'll go tell Serena!"

"Tell us what?" Mia asked, looking up from her book. Kevin took this as his chance to slam it shut and move it away from her. He loved planning his wedding as much as the next guy, but there was only so much he could handle.

"How would you guys feel about getting a new dog?"

"A dog?" Kevin asked.

"Yeah," Jayden nodded his head, "We lost Scruffy and then Terran and James. This house feels kind of empty now and we can all use a bit of canine distraction."

"Scruffy just died," Mike had paused his game and was looking at Jayden, "It's only been a month and…"

"We're not replacing Scruffy," Jayden explained again. "I think a dog would be good for all of us…"

"We're getting another dog?" Antonio cried from the hallway and seemed thrilled by the idea. He had gotten out of bed for some water and heard the good news. "Sweet! When are we getting it?"

"Whoa, hold up there," Kevin held his hand up for Antonio and looked to Jayden, "We're not even sure…"

"I like the idea," Mia smiled. "Jayden's right, we've lost a lot lately. If we find a dog we all like, and we all think we're ready for one, I don't see the harm."

Mike sighed. He stuffed his hands in his pockets and looked out the window. He could tell Emily was excited at the idea of a new dog. She was bouncing as she spoke to Serena. He wanted Emily to be happy.

"But what about the Zords?" Mike asked right as the Dragon and Turtle flew over his head. "Ape Zord might think Emily prefers the new dog over her…"

"Ape Zord had no problem with Scruffy," Mia said. "In fact, none of the Zords did. They loved having a real animal. It was another friend to play with."

Mike nodded, "Alright, alright. If everyone agrees…"

"Yes!" Antonio nodded and raced to his bedroom to get changed for an outing. Jayden could tell he was excited.

"I agree," Mia smiled.

"What the hell," Kevin said, "but only if we find one that suits us all."

The front door opened and Emily dragged Serena into the common room.

"She said yes!"

"We'll go look at a dog," Serena said to Emily in particular. "We may not get one today. Emily, you know you're never going to find a dog like Scruffy again."

"I know," Emily smiled. "I never want another dog like Scruffy again. It would hurt too much. But I think I'm ready."

"If she's sure," Serena wrapped her arms around her sister and smiled at Jayden, "Then I'm sure. It can't hurt to look."

"I'll get dressed," Jayden gestured to his pyjamas, "and then we'll head out to the shelter."